Trump chooses apprentice producer as British envoy

US President Donald Trump has appointed British TV executive Mark Burnett, who produced him on The Apprentice, as his special envoy to Britain.

Trump said it was his “great honor” to choose his former colleague for the role, which is separate from the post of US ambassador to Britain.

“Mark will work to strengthen diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities and cultural exchanges,” he added.

Burnett said in a statement: “I am truly honored to serve the United States of America and President Trump as his special envoy to the United Kingdom.”

He created The Apprentice and produced it along with a number of other reality TV shows and won 13 Emmy Awards.

“With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday.

The newly elected president, who takes office next month, has it already selected billionaire donor Warren Stephens as its ambassador to Great Britain. While Stephens’ nomination requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Burnett’s role does not need such approval.

Burnett, 64, grew up in Essex and served as a paratrooper in the army before emigrating to the US in 1982 when he was 22.

He went on to work for MGM and became known as a significant figure in reality television.

In addition to creating and producing The Apprentice, Burnett created formats such as Survivor and Shark Tank – the American version of Dragon’s Den.

He helped propel Trump, a property developer, to new heights of fame when he starred on The Apprentice from 2008-15.

Burnett became president of MGM Television in December 2015, but stepped aside in 2022 when Amazon bought the studio.

He had a role in planning Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.

Burnett told the BBC in 2010 that Trump was “fearless” and “a big, strong tough guy”.

“He’s a very, very down-to-earth normal guy and he’s a really, really loyal friend and, as I’ve seen him with a lot of other people, not the kind of enemy you want,” Burnett said.

Trump’s first bid for the presidency as the Republican nominee in 2016 was plunged into crisis when tapes surfaced of him telling Access Hollywood host Billy Bush that “you can do anything” to women “when you’re a star” .

Burnett released a statement at the time denying that he was a supporter of Trump.

“Furthermore, my wife and I reject the hate, division and misogyny that has been a very unfortunate part of his campaign,” he said. Burnett is married to Londonderry-born actress Roma Downey.

Another former producer of The Apprentice subsequently claimed that Trump had been heard making “far worse” remarks in footage from the show.

But Burnett rejected calls to release all Trump statements, saying he was unable to do so and citing “various contractual and legal requirements.”